Some of the city's most interesting sites are its elegant baroque buildings, spread
around town and particularly along the main square, Piata Victoriei, which stretches
from Opera Square (Piata Operei) to Loga Boulevard.

The focal point is the towering Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral(Catedrala
Ortodoxa Mitropolitana) at the south side of the square. Built between 1936 and 1946,
its green and red roof tiles are arranged in a mosaic design. In front of the Cathedral
is a memorial to those who lost their lives during the 1989 Revolution which overthrew
Communist rule. The Memorial Museum of the 1989 Revolution(Muzeul Revolutiei) offers
a full insight into the revolution in Timisoara.

Union Square(Piata Unirii) across the town centre is the picturesque Habsburg-era
Piata Unirii, so-named for the imposing sight of the Romano-Catholic and Serbian
Orthodox Cathedrals facing each other. Historic pastel-hued buildings line the square.
During the 18th century, this was the city's commercial centre and the venue for
numerous military processions and religious ceremonies.

Nicolas Lenau College(Liceul Nicolas Lenau), located on the north side of the square,
was built in 1761 and was home to the earliest theatre in Timisoara.

The baroque Serbian Orthodox Cathedral(Biserica Ortodoxa Sarba), built in 1745-48,
and the mint green and white Serbian Bishop's Residence(Vicariatul Ortodox Sarb)
with its extravagant decorations are located on the west side of the square. The
Cathedral can be visited daily between 7am and 6pm.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral (Catedrala Episcopala Romano-Catolica) on the east side
of the square was built between 1736 and 1754 to the design of Fisher von Erlach
and represents a fine example of Viennese baroque style. The main altar painting
was completed by Michael Angelo Unterberger, director of the Fine Arts Academy in
Vienna.

At the northwest corner of Union Square stands the spectacular Scont Bank(Banca
de Scont). This typical Hungarian-style art nouveau structure, built in the early
20th century, features an organic shape comprising curved walls studded with turquoise
tiles forming patterns drawn from folklore, and extravagant iron gutters and window
grills.

The impressive 18th century Baroque Palace(Palatul Vechii Prefecturi) dominates
the square's south side. Formerly the governor's residence, it now houses the Museum
of Fine Arts with works by German, Flemish and Italian artists.

From Union Square, walk east along Palanca street to the oldest building in Timisoara,
now housing the Banat Etnographic Museum within the city's remaining 18th century
bastion.

FREEDOM SQUARE(Piata Libertatii) to VICTORY SQUARE (Piata Victoriei)

Another remarkable open space in the city is Piata Libertatii which offers a great
display of Secessionist architecture. The Banat region was under Turkish rule from
1552 until 1716 when the Austrian-Habsburg Prince Eugene de Savoy took over Timisoara.
At this time, a seven-star- shaped bastion and gate-towers were constructed and the
marshes surrounding the town were drained by the new Habsburg governor, General Mercy.

Continue along Lucian Blaga street to the 14th century Huniade Castle(Castelul Huniade).
Built during the rule of Carol Robert, Prince de Anjou, it was completed by Iancu
of Hundeoara and redesigned by the Habsburgs in the 18th century.

RESIDENTIAL AREAS

South and east of the Bega Canal are the Josefin, Elisabetin and Fabric residential
districts, true gems of Jugendstil, or art nouveau, architecture, built mainly in
the late 19th century. The small residential square of Piata Plevnei, south of the
Bega Canal, is bordered by excellent examples of the first phase of Secessionist
architecture, such as Gemeinhardt's Peacock House(Casa cu Pauni) built in 1905.
Facades are covered with an abundance of typical motifs: peacocks, swans, owls and
squirrels together with sinuous vines and foliage. The theme continues on the buildings
lining Splaiul Tudor Vladimirescu, following the south bank of the Bega, and to a
lesser extent, around nearby Piata Maria and Bulevardul 16 Decembrie 1989.

JEWISH TIMISOARA

Even though Jewish presence in the Banat region dates back to the 2nd century AD,
the first written mention of the Jewish community in Timisoara occurred in 1716,
when the Turkish army commander surrendered the town to the Austrian Prince Eugeniu
of Savoia.

In the old Sephardic cemetery, graves dating to the Turkish occupation may be seen,
the oldest belonging to Azriel Assael, a Rabbi and surgeon who died in 1636. A century
latter, Rabbi Meir Amigo and four followers from Istanbul were allowed to settle
in the city. Following the implementation of citizen rights acts in the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, Timisoara's Jewish community flourished, reaching a population of almost
7,000. Six synagogues were built in the city after 1867, the year of the Austro-Hungarian
reconciliation. Today, three remain with one still active.

The New Synagogue in Fabric(Sinagoga din Fabric)

One of the most beautiful buildings in Timisoara, the synagogue in the Fabric district
was built in 1899 by Hungarian architect Lipot Baumhorn in a traditional Moorish
style. It is currently closed for structural repairs.

Great Synagogue(Sinagoga Cetate)

This Neolog-rite synagogue, built in Oriental style in 1865, resembles the great
synagogue in Oran, Algeria. One of the largest synagogues in Europe, it is currently
closed for structural repairs.

Orthodox Synagogue

Built between 1906 and 1910, this Orthodox Synagogue is the only one in service at
this moment.